Argentina add another side to Liberta-26 after epic title win | OneFootball

Argentinian football has secured another "alternative" representative in the 2026 Libertadores.

After Platense won the Apertura, Independiente Rivadavia, a club from Mendoza, made history last Wednesday (5th) by defeating Argentinos Juniors in the final of the Copa Argentina.

Celebrating the biggest title in its history since its inception in 1913.

Rivadavia secured the third of the country's six spots for the competition through national tournaments.

The second was achieved by Rosario Central of Di María thanks to their campaign in the season.

The remaining spots are for the Clausura champion and the two best in the annual standings - see more details below.

The achievement of the club that had never played in the Argentine elite until 2024 was "Absolute Cinema".

They took the lead with a goal from Alex Arce (9'), the hero of promotion who returned to the club after successfully playing for LDU.

They were down to ten men still in the first half after Amarfil was sent off (41'). 

They extended the lead with Matías Fernandez (62') and soon after, at 64', Argentinos Juniors pulled one back with Lescano.

The drama for Rivadavia grew in the final stretch. Coach Alfredo Berti - who led the team to the elite - was sent off and joined the fans.

Ezequiel Centurión was injured at 90', prompting a goalkeeper change and the entry of Gonzalo Marinelli.

Osella was also sent off at 92', leaving the team with nine players on the field.

And the equalizer came at 97', with Erik Godoy ensuring a penalty shootout.

That's when Marinelli's star shone.

He saved Molina's penalty, the fourth in the rival's series. However, he moved forward, providing another chance. The opposing striker switched sides, but Marinelli prevailed again.

Villa, who had a stint at Boca, converted Rivadavia's last penalty, confirming the 5 x 3 and a big celebration in Córdoba at the Juan Domingo Perón Stadium.

River at risk of missing the Libertadores

Three of the six Argentine spots are for the teams with the best performance in the sum of performances in the Apertura and Clausura.

Rosario Central already has one of these spots thanks to the 65 points accumulated in 30 games in total.

But they are qualified for the Clausura playoffs and, as a result, could take the champion's spot.

Only two rounds remain and the current scenario has the following standings:

One of the attractions of this final stretch will be Boca vs. River on Sunday (9th). At La Bombonera.

Boca, which is already certain to compete in the Sudamericana thanks to its points, is, of course, fighting for the Libertadores. And it only depends on its own strength. 

River - which has just renewed with Marcelo Gallardo - is currently qualifying, but could be in a complicated situation in case of a setback. 

Deportivo Riestra is another team that could make history and go to the Libertadores for the first time.

It is currently the runner-up in Group B, with 27 points. Just three behind Rosario Central. Owner of the fifth-best campaign overall. 

They will host Independiente (13th) and then visit Godoy Cruz (15th).

They have a good chance of adding six points and securing one of the spots through the annual standings. 

Platense is only 20th in the "Annual Table". While Rivadavia is 15th. 

Meanwhile, Talleres (30 points), Newell's Old Boys (30), Godoy Cruz (28), San Martin (27), and Aldovisi (27) are at the bottom.

Only one, the 30th, is relegated to the Primera B Nacional. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.